Chapter 83 You’re More Important

Chapter 83: You Are More Important

Meng Shu kept his cool as he walked down to the basement.

What kinda gear would Ling Qingjue have ready for him?

Could it be the Hero's Sword, that only novel protagonists get—one that would make the sun and moon pale in comparison once he picked it up?

Or maybe the Demon King's sword, radiating black aura, so cool in appearance that anyone who saw it would exclaim, "Holy shit, that's awesome!"

Meng Shu was so excited he could hardly keep from rubbing his hands together. The sword prepared for him by the most powerful Demon King in the world would surely be magnificent!

Maybe the second he stepped into the basement, he'd be blinded by its brilliance...

Meng Shu was lost in his own daydream, totally unable to snap out of it. Bursting with excitement, he shoved the basement door open—but there was no golden glow like he'd imagined.

The basement was still empty, with a single sword placed on a shelf.

Meng Shu froze for a moment, then stepped closer to check it out.

Yesterday when he came to clean, this sword wasn't here.

Ling Qingjue definitely left it here for him.

But—this sword was way too ordinary!

It looked exactly like the cheap silver sword he'd bought at the Adventurer's Guild for a thousand coins!

The blade was slim and sturdy, with zero decoration.

The only thing on it was a shallow impression of a cat head on the hilt, like a tiny scratch made by a pocketknife on a rock.

Well, a sword's looks don't decide its value. As an adventurer, what matters most is strength. This sword's gotta give him a big stat boost, right?

Excited, Meng Shu equipped the longsword and instantly pulled up his status screen. He was completely dumbfounded.

It only added 1 point to his attack?

Not only was it plain-looking, but even the stat boost was this underwhelming?

Was this really the gift Ling Qingjue had prepared for him?

Meng Shu was crushed by this sword that couldn't get any more ordinary. He didn't give up; he searched the whole basement but found nothing else.

The most important thing—this sword had the cat-head mark.

No question—this was definitely the sword Ling Qingjue gave him.

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't disappointed. His only hope of beating Ling Qingjue was gone.

Meng Shu sighed. Now he had even less of a chance against that big demon king.

Still, since this sword was a gift from Ling Qingjue, he decided to act happy and head upstairs to pacify that cat.

He slapped his cheeks, steeling himself not to let any disappointment show.

Otherwise, Ling Qingjue would straight-up murder him.

He strode out of the basement, his sharp ears picking up footsteps overhead—Ling Qingjue pacing back and forth upstairs.

That lazy cat was actually on his feet?

Ling Qingjue had one rule: if he could lie down, he wouldn't sit; if he could sit, he wouldn't stand.

Meng Shu quickly figured out what Ling Qingjue was up to—pacing nervously and biting his fingers.

A little surprised, Meng Shu poked his head out from the stairs. "Cat, what are you doing?"

Ling Qingjue immediately snapped back to his usual frosty look, his face stiff. "Nothing."

As if he was nervous!

Meng Shu thought it was funny. After a year together, he had completely figured out Ling Qingjue's hard shell and soft core. No matter what, Ling Qingjue's mouth was the last thing to give in, even though his actions were the complete opposite.

Ling Qingjue asked awkwardly, "Hey, that sword—are you happy with it?"

Meng Shu placed his slender fingers on the hilt, his eyes crinkling into a smile. "How'd you know I needed a sword that's so low-key yet packed with secret power? Thanks. I really love it."

He liked it.

So the six months of forging hadn't been for nothing.

Ling Qingjue nodded with composed dignity. "Since you already know how to use it, I don't have to teach you. Name it?"

Meng Shu thought for a second. "Let's just call it Cat Sword."

This sword was way too ordinary—the only difference from a regular longsword was that cat-head mark.

"That's it?"

Meng Shu knew exactly how to butter him up. "With your name on it, this sword will totally protect me."

Honestly, Meng Shu just had no imagination when it came to names. It was just an ordinary sword—it's not like he'd yell "Come forth, Cat Sword!" while fighting monsters.

So the sword's name didn't really matter to him.

But Ling Qingjue totally read into it. Did Meng Shu like him that much, that even the sword's name had to be "cat"?

He cleared his throat, hesitated, then reached out and softly touched Meng Shu's head.

Meng Shu looked at him, confused, but didn't pull back.

Ling Qingjue ruffled his hair, then his fingers trailed down to his cheek, thumb stroking it as he tried to show affection. "I'm leaving it all to you, Lord Hero."

What was this all about?

Meng Shu wanted to laugh, but he went along with it, pressing his cheek into Ling Qingjue's palm. His dark pupils were bottomless, like an abyss tempting someone to fall. "Why did you suddenly touch my face?"

"..."

The skin under his fingers was soft and smooth. Ling Qingjue pressed a little harder, stroking his cheek, and dropped his voice. "I lost."

Meng Shu didn't understand, but he obediently stayed still, letting him touch. "Lost what?"

Ling Qingjue didn't explain, keeping a slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth. "I'm waiting for the day you defeat me."

With that Cat Sword that only added 1 point to his attack?

"Uh, how long are you gonna keep touching me?" Meng Shu felt like Ling Qingjue was about to tear his skin off.

He didn't mind people touching him, as long as they weren't too rough.

Ling Qingjue's strength was too great; touching his face felt like peeling off his skin.

Only then did Ling Qingjue slowly withdraw his hand. "With such delicate skin, how are you gonna take it in the future?"

"Huh?" Meng Shu thought he was acting weird today. "I'm not really that afraid of pain, right? It's just that you touching me like this feels weird..."

Ling Qingjue bent down, lowering himself until he was at eye level.

"I'm a bit strong. Let me test it out first; you'll need to be able to handle it later."

"Are you going to hit me?" Meng Shu was even more lost. "What did I do wrong again? Then... sorry?"

Not knowing what he did wrong, he just apologized anyway.

Ling Qingjue was amused. He pinched his cheek again, this time very gently. "You didn't do anything wrong, but I'll only give you two months to raise the affinity to eighty. Otherwise..."

He increased his strength a bit, pulling at Meng Shu's skin, and smiled grimly. "I'll assume you're messing with me."

Meng Shu yelped twice, feeling totally wronged. "But our affinity is only forty, and you won't tell me anything."

"I'll naturally tell you after you complete the advancement quest. Telling you now would just get you killed. Why bother?" Ling Qingjue stopped teasing him and said seriously, "With the Cat Sword, you'll be able to take on a tenth-tier demon beast alone."

Meng Shu thought, by then the Cat Sword would shatter on the spot.

He would just break the demon beast's head off with his bare hands.

Ling Qingjue continued, "Go find Alice to take the advancement quest. If you need to leave Moon Bay to complete it, wait up for me."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'll go with you."

"But aren't you supposed to be guarding Moon Bay?"

Ling Qingjue shook his head. "I'll leave a clone here. A short absence should be fine. Even if something does happen, the town chief can hold down the fort for a bit, and I can teleport back anytime."

"I can handle it alone. I'm worried something'll happen to Moon Bay if you leave."

"...Your matters are more important." Ling Qingjue awkwardly looked away. "I'm going with you anyway."

If he didn't go, that damn fox would replace him again, tagging along with Meng Shu everywhere.

And that damn fox's affinity was already at sixty!

This made Ling Qingjue feel like he had to step up his game.

That fox must be secretly tricking Meng Shu into giving him gifts! With that blockhead Meng Shu, he wouldn't even realize he's being tricked!

He also had to find a way to raise his own affinity.